Modern Musings………news and grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

 

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January 2005

 (These reviews appear first in Soul Up North, available from Howard Earnshaw, 19 Rectory Drive, Kirkheaton 44 1484 535999 £2 per issue  email soulupnorthhfe@aol.com web www.soulupnorth.org - Big thanks to Howard and all at Soul Up North for letting me feature this) Modern Musings………news and grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

 

Jill Scott                                             All cuts                                               (US Hidden Beach CD “Beautifully Human”)

 

Now then, we are talking seriously bloody awesome state-of-the-art contemporary soul music here.  Believe me when I say that Jill Scott sweeps the competition aside with ease, and this CD has been welded to my player for the last 3 months or so.  Probably the most instant dance floor cut is the lead US single “Golden”, but we all know that real deal soul music that moves you invariable doesn’t involve a dance floor.  “Spring Summer Feeling” with its plucked strings and ethereal feel is just spell binding……”It takes more than diamonds to woo me…..it takes more than money to groove me……..it takes more than cars to get me wet!!”.  Love it, love it, love it.  Quirky yet meaningful……a lady with something to say for sure.  “Can’t Explain” is one of those great head-nodding grooves with sublime horns and Jill trying to explain why she’s done the dirty on her man, and that he must pick himself up and carry on…..”If you have a nightmare, it doesn’t mean you stop dreaming”……brill.  Another fave cut would have to be “Whatever” with Jill discussing her partner’s expertise in the bedroom and therefore why she’ll do “Whatever”.  Oh….I just can’t explain this can I?  Just bloody buy it, and if you don’t FEEL it, I suggest you buy Robbie Williams latest effort and give up on soul music altogether.  Unbeliveable stuff!!

 

 

Various                                  All Cuts                            (UK Expansion CD “Soul Togetherness 2004”)

 

This is the fifth in the Soul Togetherness series, timed to coincide each year with the UK Fleetwood Togetherness soul weekender.  This is quite probably the finest in the series, being choc-full of quality choons, either currently or recently finding favour in the UK’s modern rooms.  As with previous volumes we get the cream of contemporary released and unreleased items, along with a smattering of dusties.  The new material includes biggies from The Sunburst Band (“Everyday”), Benita Arterberry-Burns (“Don’t Look Down”) and the real soul of Darrell Nulisch (“Handle It With Care”).  Then there’s the unreleased or hard to find cuts like Rick James “Taste”, Stacye Branch “Inside Me” and the superior RnB of Nathan Prime’s “Knowing You”.  Completing this superb package are rarities from Bill Harris, We The People, Rocky Mizell, Flowers and John Gary Williams.  An intelligent compilation and one not to be overlooked.

 

 

Jeff Floyd                                           Let Me Know                         (US Wilbe CD “The Power Is Still On”)

 

This is a top-drawer real soul cut from the latest set from Jeff Floyd on William Bell’s Wilbe imprint.  This guy first came to my attention in the early 90’s via his obscure debut set for Murphy-Floyd records, which included killer cuts like “9 to 5” and “Throw Her Love To Me”.  “Let Me Know” is a great driving mid-paced dancer with lovely guitar and key work sitting behind Jeff’s growling vocal performance.  This is a pretty strong album as a whole though, with all cuts either written by Floyd or co-penned with Bell.  Whilst you get the obligatory synth strings and such like here and there, the strength of the material and quality in the vocal department make it more than worthy of the attention of all but the most hardened southern soul haters.

 

 

Antoine Clamaran feat. LuLu Hughes                  Feel It (Pt. 2)            (EU Ambassade Promo 12”)

 

Not a new cut, but one that took me some tracking down on a European promo release.  This is likely to go largely unnoticed, which is a crying shame as it really is top quality soulful dance music.  If you liked the Michelle Weeks goody “The Light” on US Soulfuric from a few years back, you’ll love this.  It’s got that spoken, sassy, woman-on-a-mission kind of introduction, sort of Chaka Khan in feel somehow, and builds through nifty bass guitar and keys, along with subtle percussion, into a real driving dance floor monster.  Those in the know will be onto this, those that aren’t, won’t.  Shame.

 

 

 

Ty Causey                             Everything About Cha/Sweet Talking     (US Apria CD “N-Tysing”)

 

A much talked about album in recent months, and rightfully so.  The quality of some of the indie albums in the latter half of the year was one of 2004’s highlights, with some quite stunning stuff coming from across the water.  This album is brimming with mainly mid-tempo goodies, with my favourite at present being “Everything About Cha”, which trips along beautifully, though doesn’t have that bass heavy production craved by many of the dance floors, which may limit it’s appeal in that respect.  This is a real shame, but take satisfaction from knowing that you might just hear it at the real quality UK venues…………you know the ones!!  “Sweet Talking” has more of an instant dance floor appeal, but there really are so many good tracks for you on here if wearing out your shoe-leather isn’t your only aim in life!

 

Rhonda Thomas                               Most cuts                                           (US Rhonvocals CD “Breath New Life”)

 

Part of the Atlanta music scene that brought us Donnie, India.Arie and Jiva (the latter with whom I believe Rhonda may be associated with) and if jazzy, classy soul is your thing then you’re gonna lap this up.  As with Ty Causey, it may not appeal to those who insist on that loping bass heavy beat for musical satisfaction, but the more enlightened amongst you will wax lyrical about the opening cut “Fly Away”, a fantastic piece of Incognito/Maysa like brilliance.  Simply stunning and quite possibly one of the best things I’ve heard this year.  Add to that the groove-tastic “Passion Plea”, the beauty of the title cut and the dance floor friendly “Givin’ My All” and it’s worth the price of the album for the first four cuts alone.  Look out major labels if this is what the indies can produce these days, without compromising their musical integrity.  Simply brilliant!!!

 

 

Steal Vybe                 Strong/Gloria                                               (US Westend 12” & US Steal Vybe Music “Morning Comes Project” EP)

 

These boys are my tip as the ones to watch at the moment.  Impressing earlier in the year with “After Hours” from the debut EP on Steal Vybe Music, “Dance 4 Life”, the boys return with a two-pronged attack on your aural senses.  “Strong” features Chris Dockins on vocals, is not dissimilar to a Blaze production and is released on West End records.  This is a real quality piece of uplifting soulful music extolling the virtues of staying strong through life.  A cert for the year-end chart next time around!!  “Gloria” is from the new “Morning Comes Project” EP, with more of a latin tinge to it, and is sublime in the extreme.  The music these guys are making is a touch of genius and that is no overstatement.  Actually, it’s the rougher jazzy instrumental cuts that these guys put out that really slay me, such as “Azuza”.  Absolutely fantastic, life changing (well, musically!) pieces of music.  Please give Steal Vybe a listen.

 

 

Copyright feat. Tasita D’mour                               Release Yourself                  (US Copyright 12”)

 

This is the first of a brace of recent gospel belters to hit these shores from the US of A.  I’m pretty sure the last Copyright got a mention a couple of issues back, and this new release is more than worthy of you attention.  A typical Copyright production with that funky “disco for the 21st century” feel, this builds nicely with a great mix of keys, brass and some tastefully mixed lead guitar.  Never heard of Tasita D’mour myself, but she belts out a more than competent inspirational vocal, complemented by excellent BV’s, between them proclaiming that there’s a better life to be had when you’ve “….found that path that leads you to the light……release yourself, from the pressures of the world”………I love this kind of stuff.  Tore the dance floor up during Colin Curtis’ set at the recent UK Fleetwood Soul Weekender.  Superb!

 

 

 

Connie Harvey                                             Thank You Lord                    (US Soulfuric 12”)

 

Next up is another superb offering from Soulfuric.  On the gospel tip again, I really can’t part this and the Copyright cut.  Similar in feel, the instrumentation on this is awesome…………..swirling strings, lovely guitar licks, and a powerhouse vocal from Connie.  Simply superb dance floor soul for the modern day.  There are people in some quarters that distinctly dislike most Soulfuric releases for some reason.  I know it’s horses for courses, but you really can’t deny the quality in this.  Miss it at your peril!!

 

 

Juliette Leon                         Unconditional                                   (UK Promo CD-R unsigned)

 

“Unconditional” is the title cut from UK based Juliette’s forthcoming solo debut.  She has a real crossover appeal in the vocal department, which can only be good for her, and this is a striding mid-tempo dance floor beater that’s finding favour with those lucky enough to have their mits on it.  She’s a real bubbly character too boot, and so has some key ingredients for success.  Full review to follow when the finished album’s with us.

 

 

Right……..as with last time, it’s just impossible to fit everything in.  So brief mentions for…….Jahah “Mama’s Only Son” CD album, the Shark Tale OST for the brilliant Cheryl Lynn cut “Sweet Kind Of Life”, the great O’Jays CD “Imagination”, one of the tracks of the year in the shape of Robin Duhe’s “Real Deal” featuring the long lost Michael Jeffries, Queen Latifah’s “Dana Owens” album for the great “Hard Times” and two hot new Dome CD’s from Cooly’s Hot Box and newcomer Avani.  Add to that killer slices of soulful dance vinyl from Reel People (Kenny Dope mixes of “Can’t Stop”), the latest from West Coast funkers The Soulplanet Jazz Ensemble, Kai Martin on Solu, the old skool sound of Martha Wash, moody goodness from Pirahna Head, the Basement Boys produced Knights of The Round Tables 12”, Susu’s Southport Weekender Vol. 2 vinyl sampler including Alexander Hope’s “Big Mistake”, Mark Grant’s “There 4 Me” and Arnold Jarvis’ “Beautiful Love” on Diaspora.  Phew…………is that it?!?!

 

 

Real Love Radio – Mark Randle’s 90’s special – October 2004

 

                                                                   http://www.realloveradio.moonfruit.com

 

 

                                                          Chris Walker                                 Make Me Feel           (91 Pendulum)

III Frum Tha Soul                         Distant Lover                    (93 Brownstreet)

                                                          Alex Bugnon/Janice Dempsey          So In Love                        (91 Orpheus)

    Lorenzo Smith                             Tic Tok                                   (90 Alpha International)

    London Jones                              Love Means We                        (94 MCA)

    Vertical Hold                                 Seems You’re Much Too Busy   (93 A&M)

    Gwendolyn Lassic                Never Gonna Give You Up          (90 Lassic)

    Warren Bailey                               Once In A While                         (92 Scotti Bros)

    UNV                                          Hold On                                  (93 Maverick)

    Renaizzance                                 Don’t Leave Me                       (95 Provocative)

    Renee Knott                                   That’s Where My Heart Is       (92 Scalesoft)

    Kofi/Gerri Morrison                Lady Sits Alone                       (90 Warlock)

    Johnny Gill                                     Lady Dujour                          (90 Motown)

    Teena Marie                                   Slow Grind                           (94 Sarai)

    The Dramatics                                Mother Nature                               (94 Groovesville)

    Ernie Watts/Sharon Bryant            You’re My Thrill                        (91 CTI)

    Identity Crisis                                 I’ve Got What You Need           (94 Tabu)

    Craig T. Cooper                              I Dedicate My Love                (90 Valley Vue)

    Artwork                                          Love The Way You Make Me Feel(90 Bles)

Rov Ve                                           Gotta Go By What You Tell Me     (90 Home Of The Brave)

           Ben Tankard/Anointed                  Any Kind Of Love                       (94 Tribute)

Robbie Mychals                             Call Me                                     (90 Alpha International)

Jesse Graham                               (When I) Think Of My Baby         (94 Ichiban)

                                                           Greg C. Brown                              Bring Back Love                       (96 Undercurrent)

                                                           Gary                                         Rockin’ You  Tonite                    (94 C4)

                                                           Tom Grant/Sharon Bryant             I’ve Just Begun To Love You      (92 Verve Forecast)

                                                           Jamm                                        I Promise                                (91 On-Point)

           

If you have any product for review, contact me on soulboy@randlem.freeserve.co.uk                  

Til next time then,

                                                                                                                                                                           Mark  (November 2004)                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

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